Resolution on Population Health

WHEREAS, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are comprised of four main types of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes which kill more than 38 million people worldwide each year; and

WHEREAS, NCDs are often associated with older age groups, but evidence shows that 16 million of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur before the age of 70. Of these "premature" deaths, 82% occurred in low- and middle-income countries; and

WHEREAS, children, adults and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors that contribute to NCDs, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the effects of the harmful use of alcohol; and

WHEREAS, these diseases are driven by forces that include ageing and unhealthy lifestyles and diets that may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, increased blood glucose, elevated blood lipids, and obesity. These are called 'intermediate risk factors' which can lead to cardiovascular disease, a NCD.

WHEREAS, Mississippi closely reflects the high incidence and death from cardiovascular disease and death as seen in low- and middle-income countries and is correlated to raised blood pressure, increased blood glucose, elevated blood lipids, and obesity; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Delta has the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease and death in Mississippi; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that MSMA promote the adoption of the international goals set by the World Health Organization, and endorsed by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, by all Mississippi physicians to achieve a 25% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 (the 25x25 target) by achieving the following goals

Reduce tobacco use by 30% with decreased second hand smoke,

Reduce physical inactivity by 10%,

Reduce harmful use of alcohol by 10%,

Reduce salt/sodium intake by 30%,

Reduce raised blood pressure by 25%,

No further increase in diabetes and obesity,

Ensure 50% of eligible people receive drug therapy and counseling to prevent heart attack and stroke, and

Ensure 80% availability of essential medicines and basic technologies to treat CVD and other NCDs.